Mother of Cobb toddler who died in hot car retains attorney

The mother of a Cobb toddler who died after spending seven hours trapped in his car seat has retained legal counsel.

Leanna Harris has not been charged with any wrongdoing but her behavior on the day of her son’s death has been heavily scrutinized by investigators. Atlanta criminal defense attorney Lawrence Zimmerman confirmed he has been hired by the 30-year-old dietitian

Her husband, Ross Harris, is being held without bond, charged with felony murder and second-degree cruelty to children. Harris, 33, contends he forgot his son was inside his SUV but prosecutors say they believe he intended to kill 22-month-old Cooper.

Like her husband, Leanna Harris said she researched children dying in hot vehicles prior to her son’s death, telling officers it was her “worst fear.”

When informed by workers at her son’s day care facility that Cooper had never been dropped off, she calmly responded, “Ross must have left him in the car. There’s no other explanation,” Cobb Police Det. Phil Stoddard’s testified.

Then, when reunited with her husband at police headquarters after he had been charged with murder, Leanna Harris asked him, “Did you say too much?” according to Stoddard.

Meanwhile, Cobb police spokesman Michael Bowman on Thursday confirmed that toxicology reports from the autopsy performed on the toddler came back clean. The complete autopsy will not be made available until the investigation is complete, Bowman said.